Basketball

Published

5 years ago

December 14, 2021

Mark D’Ball Basketball Tournament Returns To Abuja With Bang,

…..Game Jan. 8th kick-off date

Joel Ajayi

All is now set for the rejuvenated Basketball Championship known as Mark ‘D’ Ball tournament for the Male and Female category as the tournament that had contributed to the growth and development of basketball in the country returned with bangs as tourney was on Tuesday unveiled in the Federal Capital Territory.

At the unveiling, all the stakeholders were happy to see the game back since 2017.

Speaking at the unveiling of the game, Founder/Initiator of Mark ‘D’ Ball Basketball tournament Igoche Mark. revealed that tournaments are new, and is going to be different from what it used to be.

Giving the hint on the coming game, Igoche said the Female Championship will Commence in Abuja on the 8th of January 2022 will see 12 women basketball teams slug it out at the Indoor Basketball Hall of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja

While that of Male will commence 22nd of January and will last for 12 weeks with 12 teams across the country at the same venue.

According to him, this tournament is part of the stakeholder’s efforts geared toward resurrecting the domestic basketball leagues in 2022 promised by the proprietor of Mark Mentors Basketball Club,

“We are here all today because we love this game, a game in which we are passionate about and a place where we spend most of our lives, hence there is no gainsaying that as you make your bed, so shall lie on it.

“As you are aware the mark the ball brand and her affiliations are not new to the basketball family. Therefore, in continuation of our contribution to the sustainable development of basketball, and in trying to see that the game is put back on the map.

“We are working to ensure all critical stakeholders are involved in this developmental process.

He expressed that, the committee is working on modalities to ensure a better and the best tourney come 2022

Mark D’ Ball basketball tournament boss, therefore, assured continued support of basketball in Nigeria: “I will do everything within my reach that basketball will not die in Nigeria.

“We must all come together and unite together to bring basketball to life Let us leave no stone unturned to ensure the growth of basketball.”

Talking about the prize, Mr. Mark said the committee will not announce the cash price now but the winners will smile home at the end of the event.

Also, at the unveiling two giant trophies unveiled for male and female tournaments

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Basketball

Fresh Ideas, Science Needed to Revitalise Basketball —ABA

Published

6 days ago

September 27, 2026

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar

President/Founder, Amateur Basketball Academies, ABA, Aliyu Lucky Abubakar has called for a scientific and pragmatic approach to rediscovering the game of basketball in the North East.

The former player of many teams in Nigeria stated this on Saturday during training of coaches in Yola, Adamawa State.

Aliyu said the training is aimed to arm Coaches so they can, in turn, reach the children, especially those that ABA may not. The Deputy Comptroller in Nigeria Customs Service decried non-challant attitudes of the stakeholders in the development of basketball in the North East.

” Basketball is fading in the North East, and we at ABA will not allow it to die.”

“Adamawa was once a force in the game of basketball but had fallen behind. Our plan is to discover talent through coaching training, nurture it, and carry it from state level to the national team, and eventually, the global stage.” The basketball administrator said.

In his keynote message to the participants, which centered on the theme, “HOPE,” Harnessing opportunity, Organising for excellence, Promoting players’ development, and Empowering the next generation, Aliyu said, is far more than a drill instructors.

” Every child you see on a basketball court has a dream, and it is our job as a coach to spot it early and give it somewhere to go.” He concluded.

In his lecture titled, ” Who is a Coach”, Emmanuel Odah, the head Coach, FCT Basketball and former National Juniors team, described a coach as a committed, organised, affectionate, caring and humble.

” Commitment is consistency, and consistency is mother of progress; humility comes first because a coach who can not control himself can never control a game,” Odah insisted.

Other instructors at the training include ABA head of technical, Coach Adeka Daudu, as well as Coach Alexander Anyebe Ujoh, who spoke about the relationship between a coach and child in his care.

Coaches at the training commended ABA for its boldness to give hopes to basketball coaches all over the country. They promised that lessons learned would reshape and reset their mind on the job. They said the training will help them in understanding their role not only as an instructor but also grooming the children for a better future.

Among guests at the event include FCT Acting Director of Sports, Mr. Iyiola Ogundele and Bayelsa Veteran Basketball administrator, Coach Tony

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